Preparing for the Fork.

Late into the night many stayed up celebrating that this threat of premature conflict was averted. I however slept early and soundly, in the valley. There was some tension over the Canyoner fire, as the Towalk feared their fire might draw down birds of slay upon them, though it was recounted to me that at moon rise it was extinguished and the Canyoners, Towalk, the Volunteers, and the Guards caroused in the moon light.

In the morning I arose to find few awake, excepting some Canyoners who had foregone sleep altogether the night before, as their people do more commonly than our own. It was a late start before the new confederation began to make head way toward the high mountains we sought to cross. Yet even with the bonds of friendship germinating between the diverse crew new tensions emerged, the Canyoners are very different in habit of how they move through these lands, and traveling more lightly than those from Sky Prairie or the Towalk pushing the provisions we had gifted them they tended to get ahead of the group and spread our lines thin. Elida was tormented by this new element of chaos in the group, and by Trul who argued with him as the walked about routes. That evening, Trul gathered his bands to give a speech and the rest of our coalition gathered to hear him,I recorded it as such:

"Between us and Star's Reach is long journey, some of you might live to see sands upon sands for days and days if we make it that far, but another issue is between us and there. The Nemi Rangers, the highlanders of all highlanders, even Sky Prairie they would look down upon were they neighbors. A long long line is the ridge of these mountains, between us and Star's Reach, and it is the spine of the Nemi Rangers. They guard jealously the orchards feed by that ridges streams, and a long trail connects their range along the long length. The trail is the cord of their spine, and not something that any people is welcome to walk on. Now we march toward the greatest Southern pass of that trail, Loven. But I say we march North, to the Nemi Capital of Moft. They are weak in Loven, and our great band may frighten them to fight us; in their ca. But even where they are weak it would take nearly a siege to force the battlements of their passes, a siege we could ill afford. Even if we forced them in short order their reinforcement would swarm down their cord trail, and dog us into the sands.

"Today I have dried my throat, can you hear is crack? trying to convince Elida the stubborn and Dald the silent of the Northern route, but they will not commit to it. So do I speak out of turn now? We have three days until the forked road forces an outcome. I have now said the Northern pass is the better pass, and told you who know less of our path why it is. I invite Elida or Dald to speak now if they have another view."

The Canyoners whooped, needing little encouragement to tease, and adoring Trul as their leader. Uncomfortable and seemingly very comfortable was the respective quiets of the Sky Prairie and Towalk peoples. All eyes gathered on Elida as he made his way to stand beside Trul, he paused, waiting paitently for the Canyoners to still before giving his speech.

"Yesterday we meet each other and you Canyoners gave our expedition a test, if we were war like or quick to quarrel, today we march as allies, as new friends. Maybe something like that is fated with the Nemi, or maybe something new to us. They rule their mountain ridge and are jealous, and in their capital their nobility is most jealous, listen to a man raised in courts himself, I should know! But consider the ribbing and the teasing I received for being stunned to silence by the amazing commitment of our common people, of the Volunteers of Sky Prairie. It is not the nobility who warm to such missions, there are too many nobles and too many plots for that. No it is the commoner who is moved to a mission like ours. Thirty guards were sent by to Nobles of Sky Prairie, and only a few of us from the nobility, but there were fifty sent by the passions of the land.

"This is my argument for us taking the southern route, the rural route. Our group is of rural people and has received the best aid from among the rural peoples. Better to meet the Nemi there, than to meet them in their castles where they feel secure against any threat, even the evils of the Sky Lords, of the Greys, of a second rise of the Federalists. They feel safe, I can attest to the safety felt by those raised in castles, Sky Prairies need to be woken by the Towalk proves it, and in their safely even 'death from above' and 'birds of slay' are but dim myths to them, and they don't feel the danger, feel the treat, that forces us to take this dangerous mission. We should stay way from their Capital and its people that are only like the part in me that you all tease, and not at all like the part of me that learned from our journey and fist warmed to the friendship between the long crossed Canyoners and my people, our people, the Sky Prairie."

This speech brought great cheers from many, but most especially among the Guards. Trul was ashen faced and grim, and though invited to speak quietly declined to comment from his place among his compatriots. Trul stood as large as he could and retorted with a great annoyance in his voice.

"You are a good entertainer, Elida! So you speak to our vanity, and it is good to hear you tease yourself, today I was starting to think such a thing was impossible. But, if you tease yourself you should first learn humility! Much you may know about your noble ways and maybe you know how to kiss up to we savages, for kissing up is the best skill of a noble. But you are ignorant, I am sorry to speak thus to you friend. The nobility of the Nemi is not in a castle, a hard skull of rulers! No they are swifter than that, more war like, the whole cord and spine is their nobility, and there is no going around it. Better to face their Capital strength to its face like to Towalk did before your gates, and only my people know the dangers of both the Sky Prairie and the Nemi gates, truly camping under YOUR gates takes more courage!

"Nemi nobles mix and move through their orcharders and their cistern diggers, and their whole people. The rural, you call it as only one who does not travel might, south is as noble as their capital, or maybe more so. But your kind who rule from on high, do not like my kind who sneak around, and where their armor and their guard is weak in the south is also where their hot blood is, it is foolish to drive an army of hundreds against their most insecure point, it is a declaration of war."

Elida turned toward Trul, with hate filled gase, and looked as though he might be about to undo the peace of the previous day, when in a great bound Dald landed between the quarreling leaders, resting his big hands or each mans shoulders. "Don't waste yourselves on each other! Not until the job is through." then addressing the gathered crowd which itself had many people considering deeds which would themselves undo the peace "My people are just trying to make our way to Star's Reach, and we cannot tell if so many followers are a curse! But we do not know the way through these mountains, and must trust our guides, and all who would join, even those who would fight each other, are our guides. You both may be guides and less ignorant than I am, but you are following my quest, joining my mission. Don't tell me of this Nemi enemy, because I am not here to fight the Nemi, won't someone tell me a better path than destroying ourselves before I even meet a Nemi, or destroy Star's Reach?"

And Kindee stood up in the crowd yelling back to Dald "I have a way through our first danger, each other! Let some of my people and some of the Canyoners join in small bands, to scout ahead. That we may learn more what truly is on our paths, rather than walking blind. That we may cultivate more friendships, to stitch together these rifts. That the Towalk may have fewer CHILDREN to tend with the core of our host, and be able to keep the peace that way. Spread and streteched are our nerves, like our lines today. Maybe they must break? Let us choose the breaks, and make with them scouts and heralds!"

At this point I saw in Elida's face a look of horror, more distorted than his rage at Trul, but he was speechless while Dald said this. "It's good to hear someone speak some sense, after listening to these two bickering all day. I would like it if you could put together some few folks to do this scouting."

Little else of import was said at that gathering, though in the next morning I crossed Kindee's path, and was nearly shoved over by her gaze, but when I asked her of her fury she did not speak. Later I learned that Elida had cast her from the Guards, though of course her esteem was still great with many, who cared not.

Incipt Trul

In the west the Sun was sinking when the sands started to calm. Dald and Elida had briefed the whole party that we would be meeting with Canyoners to possibly join the mission. Understandably many from Sky Prairie were concerned and upset. Most only knew of Canyoners are raiders on the salvage of Junktown or as traders who were quick to deceive. Even their request to join was typical, starting with an ambush, and finishing amid threats. Kindee was sitting with a circle of volunteers and guards listening to their concerns. These lines are representative, though more clear than most of the frustrated confusion of our time waiting for a dying wind.

"Elida was about help from us, but he would march with Canyoners!" spat Grand in frustration.
"All of the Land's children are free to join out mission, the depth of the calling grants a deeper trust." Wane said, trying to call for calm.
"Avoiding their ambush is a necessity," Kindee started, trying to maintain calm "and as we are here for the Towalk, who welcome all who would join their mission, accepting the Canyoners is fated. Though..." Kindee paused, weighing her words slowly "I am very glad to have my comrades, the Volunteers, here in case our friends prove more dangerous than we all hope them to be."

Conversation like this filled the canyon, and Bald was busy, reassuring volunteer and guard about the coming alliance. Elida was not to be seen, he was alone in his tent during this time.

At dusk Elida and Bald lead us all to a large valley where the main train ran through, from Silt to Red Canyon. There was a fire burning, and around it a dozen Canyoners stood waiting for us to join them. We were still surrounded another fifty Canyoners were crouching behind cover in the twilight.

Trul fiercely embraced Dald and then Elida, laughing as he released Elida. "Welcome to our fire! My new allies." Dald accepted his greeting on all our behalf. It was still tense like a cocked gun, which there were many of, both sides aware that battle was not a distant possibility, when Trul was given space to speak to out group, I recorded his words thus:

"It was Ral, my very cousin, who told the Towalk of Star's Reaches discovery. My family has traded with the Towalk since our grandparents were children. And before he knew of Star's Reach I knew of it, for I am the one who told Ral! Many nights have been filled with songs we Canyoners sing of the treasures of Star's Reach, fables of lucky yottes who found it, and when we heard it was discovered we wanted to see and to take for ourselves. But, even my group is not numerous enough to march in against what ever guards the Merigans or maybe even the Greys have at that place. But word of the Towalk crusade reached my ears before Dald's men reached the gates of Sky Prairie. And with that news I have been busy! See five bands of Canyoners who have joined me at hearing this news, ready to take the spoils of the Grey or to die in spite of them.

"Hmmm. I know that the Sky Prairie's citizens do not trust us sandy landers.  Least of all your sharp shooting guards, your faces are bleak even now. But we will be family for this trip, for we all must offer what we can against the Greys. Everyone here is ready to die to stop the Greys, what matters it if we bring strife amongst ourselves to be settled after they are defeated, better to risk death in victory that death in defeat."

Trul was a flat bodied man, wide from shoulder to shoulder, but very thin from navel to spine, it favored him with a very dynamic and swift changing silhouette that he used the flames to cast. By the time of his speech many had warmed to the Canyoners joining, and after hearing it, and feeling the strength of tone in Trul's voice I believe that there was even much enthusiam for traveling with the Cantoners. All by now felt this was "a barbaric quest, and what better than barbarians as companions", as was said in fellowship and jest many times by Canyoners and Sky Landers.

Shifting Sands.

The first three days of marching were especially grueling. Elida pushed hard for us to cover a good distance each day, which the Guards in their training were well adapted towards, unlike the volunteers, many of whom were terracers, pruners, or orchariders, so not accustomed to the heat of the low lands or to covering great distances. But, I must admit some of my bitterness came from this, as an Assayer and an old hermit I was least accustomed to the grueling miles, and though I might have imagined it in my pains, I did feel a great toxicity from Elida toward me; punishment it seemed for my cowing to Kindee the usurper at the gates I Imagined it to be. I was fortunate though as I was given better than an equal share of rest from pulling a trail cart by Kindee, who took my cart during her breaks from halling. The true mercy for me was Dald, who was mindful of the endurance limits and would insist on the goodness of camp sites which Elida wished to have marched past.

Dropping down from Sky Prairie all trails follow the sandy lands for a great ways, and though their are mountains of relief from the heat, they are not where the trail lies. Rust orange was the color of all the lands along the long trail we marched those first three days, and barren were the wide sandy valleys, excepting desert shrubs growing in the drainages.

And toward the end of the fourth day the journey all was made still more harsh as a bitter sand storm nipped at our heels. We were high enough into the mountains now not to fear being burred by the sand like a salvage  crew in Junktown, but still it stung and cut, and wearied the eyes, and polluted the nose. A narrow canyon near the main trail offered us some shelter from the winds and sand, as we set up a camp early, to wait for a respite from the sand. It was a very tight fit for hundred and forty five people to camp together in the canyon, but while tarps were being spread to discourage wind and sand and I was questioning folks for updates on the water rations I heard an argument in the distance.

Suddenly confused shouting and barking orders and warnings came from all sides, and the canyon became a kicked bee hive of confused activity, until Kindee's voice called for arms as she squeezed through the crowded canyon toward the mouth of the canyon. Dald and his older brother, the seer Wane, followed in her wake advising camps that we had become surrounded. The guard and the Towalk took up their rifles, but the volunteers had not been issued rifles, for the main armament was still locked, saved for Star's Reach, though some had smoking guns, and the rest had good hunting bows, neither was good in so cramped a canyon.

A parched drawl screamed "We have come to join your expedition, or to end it." from the sands, and several powder gunshots echoed all around.

"State who you are, and your reasons for wishing to join." yelled Elida in a voice that amazed this old cynic with its confidence.

"I am Trul, voice for five bands of Canoyners, we are here to stop those greys from coming back, and to claim the ruins for their spoils. More are better for a raid, but if you want the loot, you should be asking how many warriors surround you, you should maybe be asking what sort of warriors you are to be surrounded so easy also!"

"Our purpose is only to stop the greys, my people have ruins enough beneath our own sands, but you should ask the Towalk too, if they would accept ruffians, it is a foul turn, ambushing us seeking to join us." yelled Elida, seemingly with such guile as I had never thought him capable.

Dald walked toward the voice from the sand storms as he passed Elida he said "I am Dald for the Towalk, I come to see you, to see if I trust you or not, don't kill me or there will be a fight but no trust."

I do not know what happened between Dald and Trul in the blowing sands, but in a while Dald returned with this to say "These people I trust, they are like the low landers who bring our people trade and news, news even of Star's Reach, rough and spit fire, but they are strong. All the peoples, no matter how rough, must come together in this, must come to crush Star's Reach."

Elida bowed to Dald in this matter, and called for our group to stand down. We waited for the end of the storm, in the evening, to finally meet these Canyoners.

Kindee's Gambit.

The morning after the speeches the combined forces of the Towalk and the Guard of the Host made way for the North gate of Sky Prairie, and at the gate there were forty volunteers waiting to join the mission, standing with there own provisions begged and borrowed from kith and kin. Dald was ecstatic to see these unannounced supporters, many of whom he recognized as friends from his people's stay in Sky Prairie, and he rushed forward to greet them. But Elida stopped in his tracks so suddenly that I nearly walked into the cart he was pulling, a great tension was in him

The volunteers were lead by a proud and good hearted young man named Grand, who presented himself to Elida while I watched. "Forty stout fighters to stand against the occupiers of Star's Reach offer ourselves to your command." said Grand to Elida.

But Elida responded with a tone of annoyance "Do you mean to suggest that the Guard of the Host in not equal to this mission? The journey is very far, and the larger a group is, it is much more difficult to support, and it is also more difficult to, find passage for through other lands."

"We are self sufficient, and with our numbers combined raiders and herders would not question us, besides wouldn't you say many along the way will want to join the cause? It would be a shame if our people offered the fewest fighters to this cause!" Grand responded with out the slightest sign of concern for Elida's reproach.

Elida paused and I do not know what response he was formulating. for here Kindee made her move into the heart of matters. She stepped out of line, leaving her cart behind, "Grand! It is a joy that you have organized such a fine group, and taken precaution for our good leader's concerns." She then indicated to me "This is our manifest keeper, won't you go over your supplies with him, so that he can determine whether your provisions are sufficient to the journey."

I was put very much on the spot by this, and I might be incriminating myself in these matters, for I sensed the tension in Elida, and knew him to be fumbling for another way to reject the volunteers, but seeing Grand's enthusiasm and not hearing a counter from Elida I chose, not out of disloyalty so much as from nerviousness, to hurry off to check his supplies. An inventory seemed a much more comfortable place to be than between the clashing egos of Elida and Kindee.

But while Grant lead me to the gate house where his crew was gathered I heard indistinctly Elida's shrill tone with Kindee for stepping out of line so. Little do the words matter, because little about Elida ever mattered, he was a servile young noble, and though he could reprimand Kindee, and threaten many things against her, she had already won, diverting him from the instant where he might still have prevented the joining of the volunteers, as I am certain was his hope.

From the gate house where I busied myself with the inventory I could see them arguing. Elida reprimanding Kindee, turning to come to the gate house to address the volunteers, only to be dragged back into reprimanding Kindee further as she would bait him with a remark. Three times I saw the cycle turn, and by the time Elida made it to the gate their were smirks and whispers against his authority mostly from the volunteers. The one remark that I remember by words was "This little prince does not fancy the common man."

Grand spoke to Dald, who nodded to word's I couldn't hear and went to speak to Elida, what they spoke of I do not know, but only briefly afterwards they the whole mission, with the volunteers, march beyond the gate house, for Star's Reach.

The Speeches.

Korada, the Exaulted leader of the Host of Savlation stood in the cave of sanctuary, on the balcony which was lovingly carved from the living rock many generations ago. Before her was assembles the great nobility of Sky Prairie, waiting to hear her words on the issue of Star's Reach with the travelers from Towalk had preached about to since receiving shelter and rest with in the battlements of Sky Prairie three moons ago. Kindee stood among the assembled guards whose mission with the Towalk was to be announced. Older than the guards, I was there to as a manifest keeper for what goods and supplies were being donated. Beside Korada stood Dald, leader of the Towalk honored stranger from the unknown South and Elida the original leader of the guard. Silent the gathered nobility grew waiting for the word of Korada. These are the words of Korada's speech that announced our part in the mission to Star's Reach.

"My Fellows, we have come to know the Towalk in recent months, and have learned of the spirit of friendship they bring to our people. We have also heard their desprite mission they bare for all peoples who are true to the Earth. News reached them, as it had reached us, of the recent discovery of Star's Reach by the Merigan nation who live to the East of the Kanzi desert. But the Towalk, better than ourselves, realized the danger this poses. For more vividly than our albums does their lore remember the times of warfare waged by our common ancestors against the Sky Lords for the mercy of the Earth. Before the Federal War these lands were ruled by a people beholdened and worshiping the Sky Lords. The Towalk have even shown us records from that era of the alliance between the Federalists and the Sky Lords. How they shared deadly sciences and visited 'death from above' on the warriors we share as ancestors. How they held the Earth captive to the Consumers... And now, the heirs of the Federalists, the Merigans, seek to reestablish contact to their former patrions. They have found Star's Reach, the last fortress of the Federalists, the last bridge to the Sky Lords, and they inhabit it again!

"Only in the Host's darkest terrors and most melancholic conversations had  the possibility of the Sky Lords return been considered, with damp cheeks I confess we were too comfortable and proud to see this danger clearly. Clearly as the Towalk saw it upon their first hearing of the finding of Star's Reach. So, hear now from someone whose instincts for danger are clear and sharp, for his people are wild and wary, hear now from Dald of the Towalk, and know that his heart is one with the will of the Host in the matter of Star's Reach"

At this point there was a murmur among the nobility, fear their kind had forgotten how to feel behind the great battlements of Sky Prairie moved through the crowd, and standing among the guard who already knew the mission to be announces there hearts moved in response with pride.

Dald leaned forward, and gave his speech in the archaic thick accent of his people.

"My kin in the far South call ourselves the Towalk, after the mountain we live on, sticking out of the wind blown sands. When we heard that Star's Reach had been found, we were scared, for the stories from the Federal War are still told each dark night among our people, and to this day we use no fire at night, as our ancestors did during the war, lest 'death from above' find them. That custom's how we did so well to recall these things.

"During the war a leader from near Towalk uncovered that the Federalists were getting support and weapons, there 'death from about', from the Sky Lords. He uncovered the Federalists and the Sky Lords had ruled most of the world for a hundred years before the Federalist War broke their power and freed their people. But the Sky Lords ruined the rains and the 'snow' with their power before they abandoned the Federalists to their defeat. Your people and ours were still one, fighting the Federalists, but as the sands grew peoples shrunk and lost touch with each other, becoming the Towalk and the Sky Prairie, and the other mountain peoples too.

"Our people is a smaller group than your big place here on the Sky Prairie. I did not know there was such a big place left until we found your tall and proud cliff top walls. We only have news from traveling Canyon folk and never guesses that seventy hundreds of folk might still live as a single people. Towalk is much smaller, the fifty and five that marched to your lands are the best part of our able aged men folk. My whole people would have gone, but we had to leave enough folks to endure the Sky Lords if the mission failed, so our memories could be saved.

"We seek to take Star's Reach, and break any tie to the Sky Lords that remains there. We didn't know how it would be done, and left trusting that the Land would provide a way. At your battlements, which around your whole Land, we found the first real hope for success.

"Thank you for your welcome. Thank you for your shelter. Thank you for hearing our cause. And thank you for your aid. Korada of the Host has talked with us and been our friend. We had no means to attack Star's Reach except the slings that my people are master of, but she send us, in your name, a great arsenal of repeating rifles, and has trained my men in their use. She sends thirty of her own guards as guides to Star's Reach, and to protect this arsenal from robbers along the way. She sends forty tail carts with us, loaded with supplies. Also we have learned the way to Star's Reach. Thank you Sky Prairie for your friendship, we will break this tie to the Sky Lords forever."

Those are the speeches that launched the mission to Star's Reach. Elida also gave a speech, for at the time Kindee was one soldier among many, and if not for her valor so she would have remained. His was a trite acceptance of duties, though I need not discredit the dead I believe he has a hidden mission. Still these were the vows of duty he gave, I recall them so that you can consider how well Kindee in fact carried through these duties. "I accept the duty and privaledge of leading the Guard of the Host's mission in search of Star's Reach; pledging to protect the arsenal from entering into enemy hands; and to guide the Towalk on their mission to protect the Earth from the dangers at Star's Reach." By rising to the events around her, Kindee upset plans that have been kept dearly private, for that the Host now attacks her.

The Testimony of the Manifest Keeper.

A Call for Sanity.

Recently terrible rumors undermining the integrity of Kindee Edlinastara have reached even to my quiet hermitage in Salty Canyon. As a rule I do not concern myself with idle talk or gossip, but it this case I am moved to respond to these accusations because I have reason to suspect an accusation of treason is gathering around this respectable young woman, which could have very real and likely tragic consequences. There is much confusion that has settled around last year's attempted mission to sack Star's Reach focused on the issue of the loss of the repeating rifles our House of Compression so graciously donated in support of the expedition. Rifles which Kindee was tasked with, let us be completely clear on this point, preventing from falling into the hands of enemies, be they from Star's Reach or part of the feuding alliance which attempted the mission.

So I wade into this conversation with utmost seriousness, completely open in my intention to defend the good lady, but also swearing fairness and honesty in my account of the history of this event. I walked all the way to the abandoned City of Dead Tracks, where the journey came to an abrupt halt. As the Manifest Keeper on the mission I was privy to many details of the trip that the young soldiers spreading rumors these days were ignorant of. As a function of that duty I kept detailed journal of the whole journey, which being in the Crowmedian Societies secrete short hand I cannot easily publish in completeness, but which I have made available for reference through the Assayers Society House for those who want to check the consistency of my account.

Though a recluse, my assays of material from the old world have been valued above all others for more than a generation not only because of my skillfulness in observation and thoroughness in study, but mostly because of my deep practice of honesty. So before you listen to any slander of these accounts, I challenge you to find one example of me lying to anybody in living memory, for I know for a fact that any true examples must be older than my first beard, though I am not naive enough to doubt that examples may be fabricated on account of the terrible corruption driving this entire vile business.

Land of the Free.

On a brisk February morning Jason hurries to the Faculty Session at the School. For the first time since being accepted by the Faculty last fall Jason truly feels the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, to a small degree this is an issue of the honor he felt upon acceptance losing its novelty, but mostly it is because he bares the weight of a dangerous issue to the meeting hall.

Rounding the corner of Hawberry Street near the School he sees an armed man, in the morning light still as an owl, and Jason has the distinctive feeling that he might seem like a field moue to the watchful Freedom Man. But after a brief glance the Freedom Man continues scanning the horizon. Though Jason was never enthusiastic about the Natural Freedom Party, or their Civic Liberties Act, this morning is the first time he has made note of the uncomfortable sensation of evil eyes on the back of his neck while walking up the drive to the School's old cinder block building. Generally confident, a successful and upstanding citizen who gives generously to his community, it hadn't occurred to him that he could one day face review under the Civic Liberties Act's until his apprentice threatened him with such a review for religious intolerance.

“What a spoiled brat.” Jason thinks to himself as he descends a short concrete stair case to a thick wooden door only recently installed on the building. He knocks once and waits, a moment latter a reply knock comes from inside the door, then Jason knocks twice. A voice comes from inside “Teach by learning.” and Jason replies “Learn by doing.”

The door opens to show the Troll, Tony. “Well hey guy, I am glad to see you. We are starting a couple minutes late, Jane is still a little bit out, her bike tire is flat so she had to jog to Maggie and Mark's first thing when curfew lifted to borrow their ride.”

Closing the door behind Jason as he puts his coat in the entry way Tony, his eyes a bit wide leans close. “I cleaned the room very throughly for this session... figuring we haven't really cleaned all the nooks recently, lots of dust, but I am glad to say their's no trace of vermin in this whole place, even the artifacts all checked out.” turning to the main room “The windows are all insulated too, Casey said he 'wouldn't mind the fuel savings, if you do the work' when I asked him if he minded the place being a little more shadowy during this session.”

Jason, trying the appreciate Tony's well intended if concerning gesture, embraces Tony and then walks into the main room of the basement, immaculately clean, and decorated with School projects, prototypes, failed experiments, and design schematics. hung on the walls or resting on urbanite podiums. “Tony, is anyone else here yet?” Jason calls back.

“Yeah, Casey is up stairs attending to some mold he found in the green house, and Katie is, you know, making compost.” Tony replies from his stool by the door.

Jason walks to the middle of the basement's inner wall, where a tea pot sets on a masonry stove. Opposite this wall is Casey's laboratory and sleeping chamber. Just then Katie steps out of the bucket room and comes over to get tea as well. Jason's heart flutters as she approaches, yet maybe he still manages to seem relaxed as he holds up the tea pot and pours tea into the clay mug she holds out at his gesture. Speaking softly Katie says “Its good to see you, I heard about the confrontation between you and Casandra about the class she proposed.” pausing as if to gather courage “Will she truly invoke the CLA against the School?”

Jason knew Katie had been active in supporting the Global Green Party during her early teen years, and was more than a little nervous about a confrontation with the N.F.P. of the current administration. Her deep brown eyes were wrapped with the fear that her youthful political idealism would one day be used against her should she even be accused of impeding on civil liberties. Jason was completely tongue tied, fear, bravado, affection, and any number of nameless emotions wrestled for control of his heart, but before a favorite was clear another knock at the door expanded the focus beyond Katie's beautiful eyes. “I don't know.” he said glancing at the door.

Tony whispered “Teach by Learning” his good ear pressed to the mail slot, and satisfied with what he heard opened the door to Session Master Jane, who had Mark and Maggie in tow.

“Hellooo everybody! Looks like we are about at a quorum, Angus and Holly are just behind us.” Jane called out waving to Katie and Jason, as behind them Casey walked down the interior stair case, silently bolting the door behind himself.

Katie walked over to hug Jane, Mark, and Maggie as they put up their coats and then followed her back to the still steaming tea pot. Jason chided himself for not doing more to comfort Katie's fears, and then pulls away from that emotional abyss by casually inspecting the old School projects Casey keeps displayed around the room. Jason smiles at one of his early projects, a sterling engine he made from the remains of scrap butane containers, a pump, and a lawn mower. Though it wasn't judged sturdy enough for practical work, it was impressive enough to get him advanced to apprentice after only a year of volunteering for the School.

Casey walks up behind him “Laughed my butt off the first time that thing turned over, never though you would be able to maintain a seal in it, but I was sure proud to be wrong about that one.” Casey was the founder of the School, ten or maybe fifteen years ago, depending on what you count as a starting point. These days he was the live in custodian and defacto guard in the former post office turned former church where the School hosts gatherings and keeps their more important projects. Though he didn't hold an official roll in the School this term, it didn't mean he wasn't about the most influential janitor in the county, which maybe saying a lot.

Jason smiled, he was proud of his craft, it takes a truly creative mind to turn the limitless diversity of junk from the industrializing era into usable tools and equipment. There is no mass production when your building materials are whatever Angus hauls over in his big wheel cart, begged, bartered, or bought from the slums. But there is no higher feeling than turning that select junk into a tool that will make an ecology better for life just by working beautifully. It ain't bad at keeping staples in the pantry too, though faculty members don't get to keep much earnings. A big cut of the gleanings from any work they do with School skills, tools, or support is thrown back to the School in dues and fees. Of course compared to about any other work out there its good, only a few jobs do much better and they certainly aren't taking applications, and the majority of people are effectively unemployed or worse, if they have any convictions, assigned to a government crew.

Maybe there is one higher feeling than composting junk, seeing your own student come up with something you never thought could work, seeing the opportunity of know how opening up in another. Casey yawned and moseyed over to his seat in the circle, patting Jason on the shoulder as he turned to walk on.

Casting his eyes over this room of artifacts, crafted by students of the School, Jason took in the room before the meeting would start, knowing he would need all the courage he could find. First some framed plans for tools not present: the notes where Casey designed his first analogue solar heat pump controller, Katie's original plan for a Fibonacci spiral quilt, colored in and mounted on a wall with the theorem the design demonstrated writ over head; sheet music to Holly's first funk opera from when she was still 13 years old. Remains from tools which are retired: Mark's first kiln fired masonry stove tiles, that stove was destroyed when the building it was in collapsed, but Casey was quick to save the tiles for the collection; then the 3 foot high wheel of Angus' first cart, on display because since he became full grown he's pulled a 4 foot diameter wheel, and is saving his first mono-wheel for an orphan apprentice when he meets one which he finds worthy; Rita's silk loom which Tony retired when she died on a Wild-land Reclamation Crew in '27. And then tools which are still used in place like Jane's still which makes the alcohol for her tinctures; and Maggie's hand made ham radio, she even made one of the vacuum tubes herself. Beyond these most sentimental pieces were dozens more. How could the Natural Freedom Party object to a school that produces such wonders of artisanship, and works so hard to better what's little still functions in this community? Is a review even a danger for such an upstanding organization?

Catching an impatient glance from Jane, Jason double steps to his seat in the circle just before she plays the three notes that start the session on the Session Master's wheel-hub lyre. Session Master Jane announces “Fellow Students of Life, the work of coordinating the School is before us. Let us start this secession. Door Troll, lock the entry.”

Door Troll Tony turns a metal latch down and calls back in a falsely deep tone “This discussion room is closed milady.” returning to the circle and plopping down in his chair.

Session Master Jane plays a five note series and continues. “Let's all give our name and roll in this group. My name is Jane Hill, and I play the roll of Session Master, the first to speak in ordering each phase of the session, I lead us through the agenda, and serve the group in making sure all voices are heard fairly.” hitting the low note on the Master lyre she looks to her left at Maggie.

Dawning her character's hand made dream catcher sunglasses “I am Maggie Dean, I play the Session Sage, I assist the Session Master in arranging each meeting. I consult references, arrange contests, hold elections, and cast divinations to settle disputes according to their nature. And I fill in as Session Master if needed.”

“My name is Mark Curtis, I play the Historian, I write down happenings that affect the school, firstly these meetings.” Jason catches a smiled shared between Mark and Tony. The records of this meeting may be incomplete on the Historian's wax tablet, and thereby the clay record tile molded by it.

“Katie Vasquez, I am playing the Squirrel, I cache, protect, and account for the School's things and stuff.” she seemed withdrawn, not acting out the Squirrel's characteristic jitteriness and excitability the way she usually does.

“Holly Miyazaki, singer, I lead meditations, chants, and songs.” Holly sits in her perfect composure, she truly loves performance, which shows in every roll the 20 year old takes on.

“I'm Angus, I am a guardian, I work to make these meetings secure.” maybe younger than Holly, but newer to the School Angus has resisted taking and official roll. Raised in a NFP youth program he would rather be defending Northern Mexico from the Brazilians, but even the army don't want to bother with a one handed soldier that can't hold a rifle. So he pulls his cart and hones his eye for good junk. Well armed with an old revolver, a N.F.P. bandanna, respect from the streets, and a sharp piece of metal where you would expect a hand Angus serves a martial function of his own creation home side.

“Casey Duncan, I play a custodian.” He sits enraptured, adoring the performances of his friends, as the introductions go round.

“Name's Jason Sorenson, I play a Librarian. I maintain, preserve, and copy the archives of our research and references.” Jason's nerves begin to relax holding the Library Catalogue close he feels patient, calm, and collected like the way he imagines all librarians must have been before the screens got to them.

“Tony Emmons, Door Troll. I control the door, who enters, and who don't.”

Jane plucks another chord on her lyre. “Holly, lead us in the opening meditation.”

Holly stands up, followed by the rest of the group, and leads an opening meditation of the Faculty Session.

“We need all the help we can get!

That we can store up the knowing that's ol'

and rework it for new time until its fit.

Help following beauty so we are never lost

and saying with right timing 'I don't know'

May we push ourselves, but mind the cost.

Help in bettering our tragic ecologies.

Even in wretched slums may beauty grow

and orphans find wondrous philosophies.

Help us just surviving, close to the root

That the gems of knowing can lay low.

No matter the danger, know how bares fruit!”

A minute of silence follows the meditation, and Jane ends the silence with her stringed hubcap. Having been told last night of Jason's situation with his apprentice, Jane is eager to get to his report on the matter, but to the consternation of Tony and Mark she is unwilling to skip over the reading of the minutes, communications, tending to costs, and maintenance of the school's community works. Jane is not one to let some political nerves prevent a productive morning.

Jason keeps stealing glances at Katie, as she sits there though the various business accounts, breathing deeply, eyes closed. A cocked brow and a knowing look from Holly makes him suddenly self aware and he tried to focus back on Tony rushing through his requisition for study sessions in the School Nursery to restart the mulberry trees, and experiment with a new hardy chestnut tree.

Its Jason's turn to speak, his mouth goes dry, and the courage he has gathered threatens to leave him, but finally he opens his mouth “Last fall when you accepted me as a teacher I took an apprentice to help me set up my work shop, Casandra. Now she has been a good worker, and has helped me assemble a fine shop, more than earning her keep. But on Friday she asked for me to accredit a public program she wanted to lead on her experiences in Lomism, politely as I could I turned down the request. She took to the opinion I was discriminating against her religion, and threatened to charge the school with obstructing religious freedom. I told her that was ridiculous, but she fired back that if she didn't get to teach the class she would file for review under the Civil Liberties Act the start of March.”

The feelings around the circle were varied, but in unison everyone sat silently for a moment trying to weigh the consequences. Katie was the first to speak, receiving the nod from Jane, “I don't think we have any choice, I'm not the only one here with a GGP history.” eyes shift between Maggie, Mark, and Tony. “If you think she is serious we have to give her the class charter. Too many of my friends from the old movement are gone, and Tony can tell you about the Wild-land Restoration Crews.”

Tony takes the nod from Katie and says “Well, it was very unpleasant, that's for sure. In '25 with the Civil Liberties Act passage Rita and I were called before the very same review board. We had both been GGP members in our early Thirties, but she held an county office in '21. So we were charged with conspiring to obstruct civil liberties.

“The 'review' was horrid, they pulled up every stupid thing we had ever said, and painted it up so we looked like complete traitors against Freedom to the The Eurasian Federation, by proxy of their GGP offices. That insidious review made me feel guilty. I still feel guilty for working under that foreign corporate entity. They made me regret what I had done, helping the GGP strip mine our Country, I will give them that. So, I was convicted of obstructing Freedom of Assembly, because I was in a black block in '21, sentenced to 6 months on a Wildland Restoration Crew; Rita got charged with Advertising contrary to Freedom of Speech and aiding a Corporate Conspiracy, sentenced to 2 years.

“The WRC was back breaking work digging swales to battle the drought in California. The guards herded us around to projects, some of them working us straight through the midday heat. I was lucky, to get a 6 month sentence. '26, when I served, was a good harvest year and I made it through losing only 33 pounds, hah the first 8 pounds were probably good for me.” Jason tried not to wince at the pain in the callous of a joke Tony had used so often before. “While I was there Rita faired better that I did, but she had a 2 year sentence and the following summer, after I was back home and I got a letter which was 'sorry to inform me' that she died in the heat wave of '27, along with about a third of the Fresno program participants from what I gather.” Tony blinks back some tears “I took a lot of the pain from that, I've tried to turn it into strength, but it's hard. I don't care what your politics are, the fact is you don't want to face a review. The review haunts my nightmares more than any day on the crews. They will air things you didn't even know you said. Often the acquitted are worse off, the audience have beat some people into an early grave or a hospital debt, as they walk off stage, on the reckoning the judge was too soft.”

Jason got the nod again “That was '25 things were more desperate then, having lost the Brazilian War. It's different now, we've done good business with some of the board members, they know us. Jane had review duty last fall for crying out loud. Look at the work we do here, how could the review board judge against the School? We haven't impeded on her freedom of religion, or censored her free speech.”

Angus, NFP bandanna still in place, lifted his iron claw and got the nod. “Jason, Casandra's Mom is a board investigator. We're doing good work, but we are also in the way of a lot of powerful people who don't like the competition, its complicated. And the Brazilian's, with their Eurasian allies, are not done yet, if North Mexico falls, things could get more desperate than '25 was.

“Never anybody forget, I'm a proud party member, but with loving respect to my friends in this circle who have their own Freedom of opinion about the NFP and CLA, I say that it's a fight we don't want to pick. Tony's charge was the product of a dishonest board member with some ax to grind - against party regulations I add - but we are facing a local board still as crooked as that one was. We have to give her the class.”

Tony's eyes lit up, and he took the nod back from Angus “What, no way! We can't bend to fear like that. We cannot go before a review, but we also cannot be bullied around into legitimizing Lomism by some spoiled Freedom brat. Making her sermon on it an accredited part of our public programs. Have you heard her spiel? Preaching like Lomists are all lights of spiritual perfection in a dark world. Their 'ascension' is a fracked well, as though they're all on a path to being more spiritually evolved than all esle.”

“Yeah I have heard it old man, and it occurs to me that some people are more ascendant than others! And get right, the Lomist ascension is about spiritual development not evolution. We don't conflate the eternal and temporal like the GGP's Holons...” Angus' blistering response was cut off by a dissonant chord from Session Master Jane's lyre.

“Speak with respect Angus! This is not the time for a metaphysics lecture.” Jane spoke trying to hold her anger at the young fellow party member's comments in check. “Before they were stopped by the Freedom Men the GGP was supported by preachers just as subtle, and when the masses got hold of the teachings, same as always, they just heard 'We are more progressed', just like the crowds that are now gathering around Lomism.”

Jaw clenched Angus considers a reply, but Holly intervenes for him “But what if Angus or I wanted to teach a program about Lomism? We go to Lomist programs, and I can say for both of us that we have grown a lot from their practices. Would that 'legitimize Lomism'?”

Jane weighed her words carefully “Historically we have refrained from any classes about particular named Spiritual Movements. That applies to my own Shinto practice in the exact same way it applies to your Lomist practice. Our President's recent interest in Lomism should not break that equilibrium. Our curriculum is very carefully balanced to avoid involvement in such matters. We are to focus on the maintenance of the Great Conversation, not squabbles on crowd religion.”

Holly asked “Doesn't Lomism have a place in that conversation? Isn't the work of spiritual developmen and refinment at the very heart of your 'Great Conversation'?”

Before anyone could reply to Holly's question an red cheeked Angus interjected “Don't get me wrong, I love you guys, and that comes first... and you guys know I don't suffer a snitch right?” a fearful expression on Tony's brow softens “I respect what Tony and all the elders have been through. I am just saying... I should have said... that a religion class could be a good thing, I mean that its a valid path of study, handled well.”

“It pertains to a different sphere than is our proper domain for public programs.” Maggie says to clarify the precedent on such matters. “I know old people seem hopelessly more tied to the sins of our heritage, but you have to understand what we have seen in our days done by people preaching spiritual ascension. Lomism respects that spiritual ascension cannot escape the limits of the material plane, unlike some of the GGP's blue propaganda, but it still places people on ideologically differentiated levels of worth. How do you think the treatment of Tony and Rita was justified? Because they were less ascended. The School must hold on this.” Pausing before adding another wrinkle in the issue “In fact, by the School's Source Book she should be expelled for truing to coerce the School, but I would say we have let our hands be tied on that one, for the time being.”

Looking at his wife Mark replies to her “Yeah, she should be expelled, but no chance of avoiding a review under that situation! I must admit to having problems with Lomism too, especially the way some folks let it affect their political loyalties. Truth be told that fact about me wouldn't look good under a review. Though I think the issue of separate spheres of religion and education is important to maintain, we may be in the corner on this one. Maybe that makes us complicit in all the stupidity this country seems unwilling to let go of, but our higher priority is to preserve these crafts we practice and develop together, and we cannot do that suffering heat stroke in a desert reclamation project on some crew.”

The lyre sounds again as Jane tries to put a little more order into the conversation. “This is a hot issue, before we draw any more battle lines in our own family of educators I want to hear Jason's appraisal of Casandra's teaching credentials. But lets drop the talk of expulsion for the time being, let's at least leave one sleeping dog to lie for now.” the last remark is punctuated with a dissonant chord on the lyre.

Jason gulped. “Well, she is intelligent, highly literate, and remarkably skillful in deduction. But she tends to talk past people and she is still too vain to effectively lead a class. Personally I would support Holly or Angus teaching a Lomist class if my opinion were asked, even if I personally am uncomfortable with some of its popular expressions, because I know you guys are more subtle in your understandings of its teachings... unless you're mad.” Jason looks at Angus to show him respect after the little jab. “Casandra is more of an ideologue though, if it weren't for the sword she has over us I wouldn't consider recommending her teach any class in under a year.”

Katie wanted to say something, and seeing this Jason nodded to her “Jason, I wouldn't have a problem with the school expanding to include religious perspectives either. But even granting how unprepared Casandra is to teach a class I don't think we can risk losing everything because her family is well connected with the party.”

After a brief pause the nod passed back to Jane, she took a deep breath before speaking, “I think that this worry about the Civic Liberties Act is over blown. It's function is to protect our rights, not impose on them, while our country struggles with the harsh realities of unindustrializing. Also, with respect to Tony, Mark, Maggie, and Katie and all our friends who have known the severity of the laws implementation, the severity is not from malice, but necessity. Truly we are over populated, and the government cannot be expected to ignore that in criminal matters. Those projects have saved countless mile of agricultural land from the expanding dunes...” Jane hesitated, painful feelings show through her eyes. “I hate that this young girl's religious fever has brought politics into this precious gathering place, and if I felt the votes were there I would throw it out and invite the Civil Liberties Act review to show the party what we have achieved in this community, because I believe our work is second in quality and value to none!”

As Jane finished her comment the room filled with a suffocating silence. The hesitation in Jane's voice killed any courage remaining in her audience to face a review and stand up to Casandra's threat. As the silence dragged on the nod was open for anyone to speak.

“Would Angus want to teach a Lomist class?” Casey wondered out loud.

The feeling in the room transformed in a blink, as everyone looked to him, and then followed his gaze back to Angus, who sat there coming to terms with the possibility. “Me teach a religion class? I mean I like some of the Loma in Old Town. Truth be told I may someday want to be a Loma, to beget a spirit which can live on in new incarnations after this body is wore out like they are. But wouldn't me teaching still irk Casandra?”

Jane said with pained effort “It would be a major concession to adjust our public programs thus.”

Casey shrugged “When Ian - who lies under our fields - Mark, and I were writing some of the original guide lines we were afraid of provoking the spiritual unrest of these times, and the original idea was to check our own power more than anything. I don't know if this is a concession at all, but that's just based on my original intentions, of course this School means differ things to each of us. I just really think Angus would lead a whiz-bang program, and if Casandra were your assistant for the class her vanity would be satisfied. Oh, Holly dear, I only said Angus over you because he is more intimidating, and a party member, both of which are useful.”

Jason had seen Holly's jaw clench at the mention of Casandra working with Angus, and then relax nearly into a smile as Casey said 'intimidating'.

Tony stewed at the idea of Lomism, so popular with the high and mighty guards that ran those projects like sacrifices to the vengeful Earth, but seeing the fear lighten on Katie's face he swallowed his rage without choking. “Angus, I think you could teach a fine class, even if I don't like some of the teaching of Lomism I would rather its fans be hearing from a good hearted young man whose known life working up from the hard streets to being a successful, generous, working man. But don't let your temper into your lessons”

With the unexpected addition of Tony's support everyone in the room knew that a motion to accredit Angus' class needed only the young man's acceptance. Angus shifted in he chair and laughed “You guys all know Casandra might just end up running the class, because I don't have so much to say about that stuff as she seems to. But I like the idea of watching her get a chance to act the fool.” eye's shrink wrapped in loving tears “The only people that have been better to me than the NFP programs that got me off the streets is you guys. If it helps protect the School I will teach a class on anything .”

Maggie visibly uncomfortable at the idea of Lomism being taught in the school asked “How would you... compose the class?”

Angus had the answer to that “Probably just walking together getting scraps from the slum, talking about what we have learned as a class. Pretty much like all my programs. Mostly how to be a good scrapper, but a few pow wows added in on anybodies spiritual experiences.”

Jane rang the Lyre again to call for a vote, after passing the ballot box Maggie tallied the beads, and announced that the accreditation of 'Angus' Lomism Discussion Group' passed 7 to 2. Jane announced “Well, its a class. But I am not certain it solves our problem, and having shown that we respond to threats of review, I think we have invited more pressure onto ourselves, and perhaps even suspicion. I just fear our own distrust will sow more danger than anything tangible.” she rang the lyre to close the topic.

The cloud of the conversation broke over the already tired group of educators, but not completely. Each person in the room shared an ineffable feeling that this was only the beginning. Their work meant more to most of them than their very lives. The older member especially who had seen so much change since the two party system they grew up berating finally died of a million failures, and endured the chaos and violence of insurgencies, crushing poverty, and threat of internment by the unfeeling policies of an over populated country's revolutionary government.

Jane rang the notes of closing “Let us join to close this meeting.”

Standing together the group, holding hands with deep gratitude for each other they began their closing meditation.

“Compost Failure to fertilize Wisdom, Pain to fertilize Strength, Loss to fertilize Freedom. Grow wisdom to displace cynicism, grow strength to displace hate, grow freedom to displace resentment. Question not the measure in which the World gives us these things to labor on, simply preserver to KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, IT WORKS!”

In only a few minutes more than a dozen apprentices, students, and volunteer candidates would start showing up. Today there were seeds to start, metal to clean and sort, a public meal to cook, scrap to gather, and bottles to clean and relabel and many more tasks and chores for the schools many programs small and large. The group disbanded quickly, leaving the tea cups to Casey for washing, and rushing to work.

Jason walked outside, to see Angus pitching the class idea to his elated new assistant, and pondering Holly's frustration as she huffed away to tend to the School's trout tanks. “Casandra is well-meaning, she's just been denied any chance to learn from failure. If she tries to push Angus around I bet she could learn a lot.” Jason thinks to himself with a smile.

Jason was surprised by a hand on him shoulder “Jason, can we talk.” it was Casey “These kind of threats have come up before since the CLA was passed, but we have generally managed to sort it out privately. Jason, you're a good teacher, but you need to get savvy, this should have never come this far. We live in dangerous times, and you saw the tension in this meeting, well it breaks my heart. If we are not always diligent and mindful these times can destroy this school without one of us ever being brought before a review.” Casey hugged Jason “But its hard, so we all do the best we can.”

Jason looked back at Casey, still worried about something. “Casey? What if she tries to become a faculty member?”

Casey played with his beard “That's why the compost piles are Faculty only. As long as Faculty dues include 20 hours of shoveling, hauling, and turning shit I think we need not fear that prospect from the well connected.”

Walking away Casey looked back at Justin was still mourning his little reprimand. “Speaking of which, maybe you should get those hours in now... I am sure Kate could use the company.”